Rybczynski's Theorem in the Heckscher-Ohlin World - Anything Goes

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Opp, Marcus M.; Sonnenschein, Hugo F.; Tombazos, Christis G.
• 署名单位: University of Chicago; University of California System; University of California Berkeley; Monash University
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-1996
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jinteco.2009.05.005
• 发表日期: 2009
• 页码: 137-142
• 关键词: Rybczynski theorem; Heckscher-Ohlin; factor endowments; Immiserizing growth; Transfer paradox

摘要

We demonstrate that Rybczynski's classic comparative statics can be reversed in a Heckscher-Ohlin world when preferences in each country favor the exported commodity. This taste bias has empirical support. An increase in the endowment of a factor of production can lead to an absolute curtailment in the production of the commodity using that factor intensively, and an absolute expansion of the commodity using relatively little of the same factor. This outcome - which we call Reverse Rybczynski - implies immiserizing factor growth. We present a simple analytical example that delivers this result with unique pre- and post-growth equilibria. In this example, production occurs within the cone of diversification, such that factor price equalization holds. We also provide general conditions that determine the sign of Rybczynski's comparative statics. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.